Acquiring Seeds for the Upcoming Planting Period
In the heart of Quebec, Le jardin des Vie-la-joie supplies seeds, while in various other parts of Canada, Garden Ful, Kitchen Table Seed House, Hawthorn Farm, Sage North Seeds, Florabunda Seeds, Annapolis Seeds, Bird and Bee, Cochrane Family Farm, Chatham Gardens Seeds, and Incredible Seeds are all seed suppliers to cater to the country's unique growing conditions.
For a successful harvest in Canada's short growing season, it's essential to match the days to maturity of the vegetable with the local frost-free period. This involves determining the average first and last frost dates for your specific area, selecting varieties with days to maturity shorter than or equal to the number of frost-free days, and prioritizing cold-tolerant, fast-growing, and short-season suitable vegetables.
Some vegetables like lettuce, radishes, arugula, kale, mustard greens, and fast-maturing bush beans are ideal for short seasons, as they mature quickly (20-60 days) and often tolerate light frost. Varieties of lettuce (like batavian types) and other greens, known for their heat and cold tolerance and fast growth cycles (45-60 days), are also excellent choices.
To enhance success, consider season extension techniques like row covers or cold frames for some hardy crops to lengthen harvest periods. It's best to avoid planting until the danger of frost has passed in spring, using local weather information. When planting mid-summer for a fall harvest, count backwards from the expected first frost and select crops accordingly.
For continuous fruit-bearing plants like tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, etc., the days to maturity should be at least 30 days less than the optimal growing condition days. To find the frost dates in your region, use the provided links for Canada and the USA. The days to maturity are the optimal growing condition time counted from seedling to harvest.
Other seed suppliers in Canada include Veseys, Matchbox Garden, Berton Seeds, OCS Seeds, William Dam Seeds, Revival Seeds, The Plant Society, Sow True Seed, Bountiful Gardens, Terra Edibles, Urban Harvest, Jardins de la Gaillarde, Prairie Garden Seeds, Yonder Hill Farm, Wood Prairie Farm, Greta's Family Gardens, Hope Seeds, Haitai Seeds, Hana Earth Gardens, Terre Promise, and Early's.
Organising seeds already owned is a crucial part of the process. Heirloom, open-pollinated, naturally, or organically grown seeds are recommended. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Seed Savers Exchange are seed suppliers in the USA for those who prefer heirloom seeds.
Lastly, choosing a seed grower close to you or similar in climate is beneficial. Seeds can be ordered from a seed catalog or online, bought at a local seed supplier, or obtained at a local Seedy Saturday event. Grow what you eat, as too many unwanted vegetables can lead to waste. Happy gardening!
- A family garden in Canada can benefit from organic seeds sourced from suppliers like Le jardin des Vie-la-joie or Cochrane Family Farm, as they are adapted to the country's unique growing conditions.
- For a bountiful harvest, pay attention to the days to maturity of your vegetables, prioritizing options like lettuce and bush beans that mature quickly, as they are ideal for short seasons.
- To ensure a continuous supply of fruit-bearing plants, select varieties that have at least 30 days less days to maturity than the optimal growing condition days.
- When organizing seeds for the upcoming season, consider heirloom, open-pollinated, naturally, or organically grown seeds, which can be sourced from suppliers such as Southern Exposure Seed Exchange or Seed Savers Exchange in the USA.
